Petra Silfverskiold

Brave Bradley Lowery has something to smile about after discovering that his 'best mate' Jermaine Defoe will play for England when he is mascot next week.

The Sunderland striker learned today that he had been recalled to the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Germany and Lithuania.

Bradley with Jermaine.

The 34-year-old has 55 England caps and played his last international match against Chile in November 2013.

The announcement was extra special for little cancer battler Bradley, five, who has been invited by the FA to be a mascot for the match against Lithuania next Sunday.

Sunderland super-fan Bradley, from Blackhall, and Jermain have struck up a close friendship as the youngster battles neuroblastoma for the second time.

Bradley's facebook account posted a video alongside the following words: "Bradley is over the moon to hear his best mate Defoe has been called up for the England game when he is mascot. Here is his reaction," followed by two love heart emojis.

The footage shows Bradley sitting in an armchair, when his mother Gemma's voice is heard asking him: "Guess what? Guess who's going to the England match next week?"

Bradley asks: "Who?"

Gemma then responds: "Jermaine."

Bradley is then seen bouncing up and down on the chair in excitement, to which his mum says: "Are you buzzing?" and Bradley replaces with an excited: "Yeah!"

Jermain tweeted: "Thanks to everyone for your messages!

"Playing for @England has been my dream since day one so to be back in the squad is so special for me."